WALTER SMITH has warned the pressure of stopping Celtic from romping away to 10 successive titles will hit Mark Warburton as soon as he leads Rangers into the Premiership.

Walter Smith admits the pressure to dethrone Celtic will hit them straight away

Smith famously led Rangers to nine-in-a-row in 1997, emulating the feat set by Jock Stein in the Hoops’ greatest era between 1966 and 1974.

And the legendary former boss, knows that with Celtic on course to win their fifth successive title this season, Rangers will be under intense pressure to break their stranglehold as quickly as possible.

Smith said: “It is a pressure that will come on Rangers – right away."

Unless there is huge investment in the squad over the summer it will be difficult for Warburton to compete right away, but Smith knows that will cut no ice with supporters.

With the fierce rivals meeting at Hampden on Sunday, Smith has called on the Rangers board to supply that backing in the same way that he was supported when he was in charge.

“I hear people saying that they have got time, but I’m afraid time and patience were never virtues that Rangers supporters were blessed with in particular,” said Smith.

“First and foremost the challenge is there for Rangers, having been out for four years, it’s a bigger challenge to them than for Celtic who have been winning championships.

“Not only have you to go in and do well, you have to stop Celtic getting that nine-in-a-row, towards 10-in-a-row, dare I say it.

“They have had a free run and nobody would have expected that, but they have taken advantage and it will be up to Rangers to react to that.

“They have done in the past and they’ll have to do it once again.

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Walter Smith led Rangers to the title in 2011

“That’s the awkward thing for everybody at Rangers – they have so much to do to get back.

“There’s a level of optimism there that they can do it and get back to somewhere near the level they were at five to 10 years ago.

“Hopefully Mark Warburton gets the same opportunities that I had, and he’ll have to because Celtic, in my mind, will show a reaction to Rangers coming back.

“In most seasons previously before the troubles Rangers always invested in players. They have to do that next season.”

Smith believes Rangers can go into Sunday’s clash with more confidence than last year.

He added: “Last year, Rangers were going in hoping to avoid an embarrassing defeat. Now, you are saying to yourself, ‘How will they play? How will they do?’ It will be interesting to see how it pans out."